I will be hosting a vintage clothing and accessories stall at Fentham Hall Antique and Vintage Fair tomorrow! It’s in Hampton in Arden, close to Solihull. I will have original Art Deco and 40’s to 60’s, with some repro too! So if you’re looking for anything to wear at Goodwood Revival or the Victory Show, this is a great chance for a bargain!!!

Huzzah! It’s that time of year again where we all get to dress up and be part of something truly epic! Goodwood Revival is back in all its Harris Tweed glory. I cannot wait to sing in the VIP area again, with its fantastic vintage BBC radio set up and see all the wonderful Goodwood actors, staff and racing drivers once more. Although this year’s event sold out as quickly as it went on sale, you are in with a chance for next years event, so let me entice you with some of last year’s pictures…

Entertaining the evacuee children with a little bit of Gracie Fields.

I had just gotten to the VIP area and was doing ‘once round the room’ saunter, when a waiter turned round, saw the outfit and dropped a jug of orange juice down me by accident. Sticky, but hilarious! Had to use someone’s hair dryer behind the scenes.

The sound effects for the radio shows!

Recreating old radio shows from the original scripts. An absolute hoot!

For one of the VIP areas you had to walk through a 60’s record shop!

Another VIP entrance. Absolutely incredible England football team dressing room, including a mini pitch outside!

I will write a proper post about Military Flying Machines Show at some point (still need to do one on The Big O Fest too!), but wanted to share these. I purchased them at the weekend and some seemed to be owned by a polish soldier.

Where there has been writing on the back, I have included images. If anyone recognises regiments, places, people, can read the text or has any other interesting info, please get in touch so I can learn more.Christmas in WWII. You can make out the tin foil Christmas decorations on the fern plants!

A polish football player coming to see the troops maybe?

Soldiers in stretchers, either side of a mule.

YMCA tent in the background.

Can you read the text on the back of this photo, taken in Egypt 1941?

Check point? What is the place on the sign?

Think these are prisoners of war?

Polish Soldier Pay Book

British Soldier Pay Book. Love that the description of his complexion is 'Fresh'!

The ones below seem to be part of a set. I don't know whether they are 'souvenir sets' or used for press? Can you understand the text on the back?

Ever since the world of fingerprint jewellery took off, I've always loved the thought of having my own, especially when I had children. There is something so incredibly special about fingerprints. With every one's marking being totally unique, you never get 2 the same. Seeing hand and footprints on kid's paintings is such an amazing thing to look back on, so why not encapsulate that feeling in silver?

So after a lot of hinting that fell on deaf ears, I looked for some UK based jewellers that specialise in fingerprint pendants and found Liv and Lottie. After telling my husband what he would be getting me for my Birthday, I awaited the kit in the post! I wanted 3 fingerprints initially: Betsy, Mama and my sister, who lives all the way in Philadelphia. Luckily my parents were off for a visit, so I gave her part of the kit to them. You receive little clear pots, which was a blessing as they could safely store her imprint inside for travelling back to the UK!

The personalised necklace turned out beautifully as you can see! You can even personalise the front and back of the silver pendants with a name, initials, birthdate etc.

I am planning to get Richard, Pa and my fingerprints done near Christmas.

After being such a satisfied customer, I thought I would ask Liv and Lottie a few questions!

1.) What got you into jewellery making? How long have you been doing it?

I came across fingerprint jewellery when I was carrying my 2nd child and I decided to give it a go. I will always remember working with that first piece of silver clay and after a little practice I had created my very first beautiful silver charm with my eldest daughter’s fingerprint. I have been making fingerprint jewellery for just over 2 years now and I love creating each special print. It has also given me the freedom to work around my family.

2.) Why did you decide to create fingerprint jewellery? Why do you think it has become so popular?

I think I was drawn to the fingerprint jewellery especially because of its closeness with people and that feeling that you are creating a special memory in a keepsake for someone. I think fingerprint jewellery has become so popular now as its a great way for mothers wanting to capture there tiny ones prints and they also make a beautiful memorial piece.

3.) What has been your favourite or most memorable order/ project to do and why?

Its difficult to pin point a favourite piece it would probably be the first ones I created capturing my own children's prints, and they also symbolise the beginning of Liv And Lottie’s Little Charms so they will always be very special to me.

4.) Tell us a little about you!

Liv And Lottie’s Little Charms was created by Jodi Fusiara. The name was inspired by my two beautiful daughters and I have been creating personalised jewellery for over 2 years now.

We offer bespoke charms /pendants in fine silver for you with a finger, hand, footprint or a drawing as its centrepiece. A beautiful keepsake to cherish and keep forever.

Once you place your order within 1-2 working days you'll receive any easy to use kit with little pots, to capture your prints. When your prints are received back, I'll then transform them into a beautiful custom made pieces of fine silver jewellery.

You aren’t just a performer, you are an audience member…watching the people in front of you, waiting for reactions for gratification…scouring for signs of mirth, boredom, admiration, disappointment. Just as you become connected with characters on screen or stage, their reactions and feelings get absorbed into you. Your performance may become better and livelier with a hedonistic audience. With quiet, unresponsive viewers or those that chatter through a set you either become disheartened, detach yourself from the situation with shopping lists or find it the perfect challenge to get their attention.

So to the girl and her mother who rolled their eyes, sneered and said ‘thank god’ when I announced my last track at a friend’s private performance just now…you are not the first, you will not be the last, but I’m not singing for you. I’m singing for myself, for the people listening and appreciating. For the children who don’t know the songs, but dance anyway. I sing so people can reminisce, to set the scene of an era and to keep them alive. I sing because I don’t have the guts to stop and tell you that I can hear every word and see every gesture. I sing because you can’t.

Today I did a set of soothing 40’s to 60’s songs at Leif Tearooms! I couldn’t wait to meet up with my friends and try the afternoon tea. Usually there is a piano player, but this time they got me on the mic! I was upset to hear that one of my friends was poorly, so couldn’t come along, but we managed to have a good time and wished her a speedy recovery.

Time for another shameless plug… I was yet again wearing one of Time Machine’s amazing vintage reproduction outfits! The barkloth fabric is amazing and contrasts beautifully with the polkadot cotton of the skirt. You may have seen me wearing the trousers of this set at Battles for Victory last year! I also have some shorts too! I teamed this outfit with some vintage Bakelite and jade bangles that picked out the yellow and green beautifully.

So back to Leif! The afternoon tea is priced at £12.95 and is delicious and filling. You get to choose 2 Sandwich fillings and these come on a tiered slate cake stand with slabs of cake, really gorgeous scones (fresh not frozen!), strawberries (guessing these are seasonal) and the obvious clotted cream and jam. Your tea is served in a loose leaf pot, so nice and fresh.

I do prefer the little patisserie fruit tarts you usually get with afternoon teas as scones AND sponge cake can be a bit too heavy. I only managed the sandwiches, strawberries and scone, but it was a delight.

Hopefully I will be asked back to sing again some time! Enjoy your weekend! X